Dejan Lovren has been in fine form since his return from injury at the start of March.

Liverpool's Croatian international defender Dejan Lovren has issued an ultimatum to his country, as reported by Sky Sports.

During the last international break, Lovren and his national coach, Ante Cacic, became embroiled in a row following accusations the former did not warm up correctly before a game against Hungary. Cacic was furious with the Liverpool player's attitude and spoke of how no one is bigger than the team, as reported by Sky Sports:

"I will not tolerate such behaviour because no one is more important than the team. Lovren made a step backward, away from our squad. We didn't talk after the match, we will see what is going to happen, but I will not tolerate such acts and he made a wrong move."

The former Southampton defender has refused to back down however, and has issued an ultimatum, before giving his account of the truth behind what happened:

"'I will not apologise, I will either travel to France as a starting player or I am not going," the Liverpool centre-back is quoted as saying.

"The conditioning coach came to me and told me to go and warm up for 10 to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, I began to get cold because I didn't have a jacket so went back to the bench. Then, after a minute, the fitness coach comes again and asks me, 'So why did you sit on the bench?' I told him he said to warm up for 10 to 15 minutes and I did it. Then he immediately said that to Cacic."

Lovren has recently established himself as a regular starter for Liverpool, forming a solid partnership with Mamadou Sakho.

It would be a terrible shame for both parties if Lovren and his nation do not sort out their differences. Croatia would most certainly be a stronger side with the Liverpool man present in the side, but as Cacic stated, no one is more important than the team.

Antony Martin

A passionate football writer with an obsession for the beautiful game. Still has not seen either his club or country win a trophy during his time on earth. Aside from football, he is also a keen follower of golf, tennis and darts.